As a 10 year old child, I watched helplessly one hot August day as my beloved boxer, Duke, died in my arms. Four decades later, I still have that memory painfully etched in my mind. We didn’t learn until after the fact that Duke had died of a heat stroke. Even more painful was the realization that, had we known what to look for, we could have taken measures to possibly prevent his death. In honor of his memory, I want to share vital information that may keep your dog from suffering Duke’s fate.

What is heat stroke?
Too much time exposed to the dangerous combination of increased temperature and humidity can lead to a heat stroke. A mammal’s body (and that includes humans, too) can only tolerate temperatures up to about 107 degrees before cells start dying. The higher the temperature, the faster this occurs. The longer the body remains at an elevated temperature, the less chance there is for recovery. Heat stroke can occur very quickly, given the right set of circumstances, and if too much time has elapsed, even your best efforts may not be enough to keep your dog alive.

Is my dog at risk for heat stroke?
Any dog can fall victim to heat stroke, but hot weather is especially hard on puppies and older dogs, (they have a harder time regulating their body temperature), short-nosed breeds, (like pugs, pekes, boxers and bulldogs), overweight dogs, those with heart or lung problems, and dogs recently moved from a cooler climate. These risk factors increase if your dog doesn’t have enough water, if he’s in an enclosed space or is exposed too long to direct sunlight.

How can I recognize heat stroke?
Heat stroke causes dogs to pant rapidly and heavily, the body’s defense in an effort to lower the core temperature. Their eyes may be open abnormally wide, and they may appear to stare blankly, ignoring your commands. They may drool excessively and stagger weakly. The gums will appear pale and dry and eventually, if left untreated, the animal will collapse into unconsciousness.

What should I do if my dog has a heat stroke?
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke and you’re close to a vet or animal hospital, put him in the car, crank the air conditioning all the way up and get him there as soon as possible. They’re the ones best equipped to handle your dog’s recovery. If that’s not possible, you must try to reduce your dog’s temperature yourself. Get him to a shady area and either put him in a tub of cool (not cold) running water, or spray him with a hose. Be sure the water penetrates his coat and wets the skin beneath. Run it over his tongue and mouth, inside the legs and on his stomach. Remember that small dogs will cool down more quickly than larger breeds. Take your dog to a vet as soon as you can.

Hopefully your dog will never suffer a life-threatening heat stroke. If he does, at least now you know the signs and symptoms to be aware of, and the measures you can take that will offer him the best chances for a full and total recovery.

Honey Wesley is the owner of It’s a Dog’s Life, a fun, innovative and informative website dedicated to dogs and dog lovers everywhere. For the follow-up to this article, send a blank email here. You’ll get 12 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe this Summer.

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Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That’s their natural lifespan. But it’s being cut short by chemical toxicity in their environment and in commercial petfood, which is fed (to a greater or lesser extent) to over 90 per cent of pets in modern society.

Whether you feed your dog fresh meat or home prepared food as your primary food source, if you’re giving ANY commercial petfood to your dog, the chances are that you’re cutting your dog’s life short. Add to this the toxicity of most veterinary-prescribed and over the counter drugs, including your dog’s vaccinations, cortisone (given for a multitude of problems), and parasite treatments (worms, fleas, ticks, mites and so on), and you’ve got a chemical cocktail which is causing premature ageing and death in companion animals all over the industrialized world.

Does it have to be this way?

Pollutants affect us all to some degree, but there ARE a number of steps that you can take to minimise your dog’s exposure to toxic compounds that affect your dog’s health and longevity. There ARE chemical-free dog food programs. There ARE natural alternatives to most toxic drugs routinely given to your dog. And you CAN reduce the pollutants and chemicals that your dog is exposed to on a daily basis.

For further information, and a free report on how you can improve your dog’s health and lifespan, visit

www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

Healthy Happy Dogs is a comprehensive resource for dog lovers interested in improving the health and lifespan of their dogs. Your dog’s health can be improved significantly without resorting to toxic drugs, and by avoiding almost all commercial petfood.

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Her site, Healthy Happy Dogs, has pages and pages of information on improving your dog’s health naturally. Brigitte is the author of several reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

For your special FREE report – How to Improve Your Dog’s Health Within 30 Days – Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog’s Life!, Click Here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

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Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That’s their natural lifespan. But it’s being cut short by chemical toxicity in your dog’s environment and in commercial petfood, which is fed (to a greater or lesser extent) to over 90 per cent of pets in modern society.

Whether you feed your dog fresh meat or home prepared food as your primary food source, if you’re giving ANY commercial petfood to your dog, the chances are that you’re cutting your dog’s life short. Add to this the toxicity of most veterinary-prescribed and over the counter drugs, including your dog’s vaccinations, cortisone (given for a multitude of problems), and parasite treatments (worms, fleas, ticks, mites and so on), and you’ve got a chemical cocktail which is causing premature ageing and death in companion animals all over the industrialized world.

Does it have to be this way?

Pollutants affect us all to some degree, but there ARE a number of steps that you can take to minimise your dog’s exposure to toxic compounds that affect your dog’s health and longevity. There ARE chemical-free dog food programs. There ARE natural alternatives to most toxic drugs routinely given to your dog. And you CAN reduce the pollutants and chemicals that your dog is exposed to on a daily basis.

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural health for dogs. For your free dog health report, click here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

For info on detoxifying your dog’s system, click here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/RemoveToxinsNaturally

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Dog grooming is absolutely essential in maintaining your dog’s health. Grooming includes regular brushing and combing to remove dead hair, skin and general debris, bathing and nail trimming as necessary, as well as looking after your dog’s ears, eyes and mouth.

Regular dog grooming will provide your dog with not only a shinier coat but also a healthier lifestyle, plus it gives you the opportunity of spending some ‘one on one’ time with your dog. It is essential that you train your pet by dog grooming him in his earlier years with a gentle approach, as this way he will not worry when you continue to groom him as he gets older – he will know what to expect. Often dogs can look on the grooming routine as another way of you petting him. Combing and brushing will care for your dog’s coat but it is equally important that you attend to his other body parts, like the ears, toes, eyes and the mouth.

Dog grooming will have to be applied in a different way, depending on the breed of dog that you have, so you need to make sure that you research the right way for your dog. We have listed below the general dog grooming methods used, but you need to make sure if your dog has special grooming needs, then you abide by them.

Bathing

Bathing is a very large part of dog grooming. It is wise to bathe your pet once every two months or so, or as frequently as needed. Brush you pet’s coat well before each bathe so that you elimate dead skin, hair and knots from his coat.

To bathe your dog:

For secure footing, place a rubber mat or a bath towel in your bath tub or sink. Make sure you are careful not to let water into your dogs ears – it can be a good idea to secure the dog’s ears with cotton balls so you make sure that you are preventing the water from entering these openings.

Use warm water to rinse your dog. If you have a spray hose available then this can be best to use, but do make sure that the nozzle of the hose is kept close to your pet’s body. Never ever spray the animal directly on his face, as this is likely to scare or irritate him, and he will not want you to bathe him again.

Use only specially formulated shampoos that are only made for dogs. Using small amounts, start from head to tail but avoid getting the shampoo on your dog’s eyes. Be sure to clear from dirt the dog’s rectum, and other body parts like those under the chin, behind the ears and between the dog’s toes.

Then rinse your dog with warm water, make sure that no shampoo is left on his coat.

. Remember a dog’s instinct is to shake when they are wet, so stand clear!

Lastly, pat your animal dry with a bath towel or a hair dryer.

Coat

It is also a very necessary part of dog grooming to ensure that your dog’s coat is kept clean. Make this part of your dog’s daily dog grooming routine, so that his coat is thoroughly brushed each day. This assures that his coat is kept from dirt, and to get rid of dead skin, old hair and other debris that finds its way onto a dog’s coat. A dog grooming procedure like brushing may spread the dog’s natural skin oils all through the coat, which can help to keep the dog’s skin form irritation and may further prevent his coat from tangling. This does not only apply to dogs having long coats but also short-haired dogs benefit from regular brushing.

Nail trimming

Depending on your own dog, but generally around once a month, your dog’s nails should be trimmed. Use a specially designed nail trimmer or clipper that has been designed for your dog breed, also provide a blood-clotting powder in case his skin tissue is cut. You may also use scissors for this form of dog grooming. If you don’t feel confident with this procedure then leave it to your vet to do when necessary.

Ear care

Is also an important part of dog grooming. If not properly addressed, your pet could well develop an ear infection, which in turn may lead to permanent hearing loss. The symptoms for an ear infection are constant scratching, ear redness and head shaking. Your dog grooming specialist or vet must deal with severe cases of ear infections in your dog.

Teeth care

Give your dog the specially formulated bones that are designed to help combat bad breath. Also try and get him into the habit of letting you clean his teeth for him. You can buy beef flavored toothpaste and a doggie size toothbrush just for him.

Look after your dog – he is worth it.

For more information on Dogs as Pets

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If your dog is an important part of your life, you will want to provide the best of care for her so she can enjoy a long and rewarding life. A trip or two each year to your veterinary clinic does not guarantee that your loyal canine will maintain her healthy appearance and youthful spirit. It is you, the dog’s owner, who can make the difference between your dog living a long, full life or one of physical disease and health problems.

Many dogs are treated like they are immune from common heath problems – they are NOT! They suffer many of the same health issues that afflict humans; teeth and gum disease, ear infections, toe nail problems, and hair issues, just to name a few.

Well, don’t get discouraged, because a few simple and easy grooming practices can help you prevent the premature aging of your pet. Basic personal dog grooming is the key to early recognition of skin and tumor issues, dental problems, and mobility difficulties.

To help you establish a regular dog grooming regimen, the following tips are provided covering five key areas; brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene.

Brushing Your Dog

Brushing, or grooming, your dog is a great time for bonding with her and providing the physical contact that all dogs desire. This practice promotes a lustrous shine on the dog’s coat, whiling eliminating dirt, debris, and dead fur.

This is also the perfect opportunity to examine your dog’s skin for fleas and ticks, lumps, cuts, or contusions. And while you’re at it, take a moment and examine her ears, eyes, teeth and nails.

Bathing Your Dog

Here is the good news – most dogs only need bathing once a month, unless she likes to play in the rain and mud. If she does get dirty on a regular basis, adjust your bathing schedule accordingly.

A prerequisite to bathing is a good brushing. This loosens up any dead hair or dirt and makes the bathing process much more productive. A good practice is to start bathing your dog as young as possible. Generally start when she is about 14-15 weeks old, or earlier, if they tend to get into messy situations.

Find a good location to bathe your dog, preferably one that is contained and has good drainage. Undoubtedly, water will be spilled or shaken near and far. An enclosed shower or tub is an ideal location, or if your dog is a smaller breed, the kitchen sink can also work.

Wet your dog thoroughly, avoiding her head to keep water out of her eyes and ears. Plug your dog’s ears with cotton balls if there is a risk of flooding the ears. Use a dog shampoo and lather up the dog. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and squeeze off the excess water. The face should be washed with a soft, damp cloth. Towel dry your dog, and blow dry if desired, but it is best to keep her confined until dry.

Trimming Nails

Nail trimming can be a traumatic experience for some dogs. So, it is best to start the nail trimming experience as early as 2-3 months old to let your dog become accustomed to the practice. For puppies, you can often use finger nail clippers to tip the ends of the nails.

If this is just too much for your dog or puppy to handle all in one sitting, you may start with trimming only one paw at a time, giving your dog an extended break between sessions. The key to successful nail trimming is providing your dog lots of praise when she lets you cut a nail. Kind, soothing words of praise will let her know that she is loved and this experience is nothing to fear. Of course, a few dog treats after the session is over can’t hurt either.

Cleaning Ears

Inspect your dog’s ears often, but only clean them when there is evidence of dirt in the opening or canal. Use a cotton ball, never a cotton swab, to clean the dirt out of the ear. Soaking the cotton ball with a good ear cleaning solution provides the best results. Hydrogen peroxide can be substituted for the cleaning solution, if necessary.

If you notice that the dog’s ears are red, swollen, or emit a foul smell, the problem might be more serious and demand veterinary attention. Yeast infections, ear mites, and other ear problems are more easily treated by medications only available from your vet.

Keeping a Bright Smile

As a dog’s life span has been extended over the years, it is even more imperative that your dog maintain healthy teeth and gum tissue. You can assist her by brushing her teeth regularly. Start as early in life as possible, to get your dog accustomed to the feel of your finger or brush in her mouth.

Starting with your finger, or a special dog toothbrush fitted for your fingertip, begin massaging your dog’s gums and gently rubbing her teeth. Once she has become accustomed to the practice, try using a dog toothbrush, or small soft bristled human toothbrush, with dog-specific toothpaste. Never use toothpaste designed for humans on your dog.

Continuing this practice throughout your dog’s life will ensure that she will avoid gum disease, loose teeth, and related eating problems.

These easy-to-follow grooming tips take very little time compared to the years of enjoyment your dog will provide you and your family. Take care of your loving best friend and she will certainly return the favor many times over!

Bill Wilcox is a long time dog owner and experienced trainer. He is an avid author of dog care articles and writes for superior-dog-supplies.com and smart-dog-training.com. For more information visit: http://www.superior-dog-supplies.com
http://www.smart-dog-training.com

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Being socialized is an important part of a happy life for any person, and dogs are no different. Humans can adapt easily to different situations throughout life, but dogs arent that pliable. They critical time for their development is in the first 4 months of life. Their experiences in this period will literally affect the rest of their lives. The best way to avoid having a dog with issues is to expose them to as many stimuli as possible during this time and to minimize any negative stimuli.

The easiest way to expose your puppy to stimuli is to simply get them out into the world. Many people worry about letting out puppies with out all their shots, but you can solve this problem by controlling their exposure. Let only immunized dogs play with them, and dont take them to any public dog runs. Its also great to let plenty of people and children of all types to pet your puppy. This gets the little one used to all kinds of humans which makes for an easy-going dog later in life.

It is equally important to minimize negative stimuli. Most importantly, never spank your puppy. If you want to discipline them, clap your hands to startle them when theyre doing something wrong. Also make use of pee pads and deterrent sprays to help the house breaking process. You shouldnt hit them or let anyone else strike them unless you want a dog that fears humans later in life.

Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with Dog Clothes and Small Dog Sweaters

Visit Elizabeth Austin Wholesale for Wholesale Dog Clothes and Wholesale Pet Supplies

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Dogs have long been regarded as mans best friend. As such, a dogs health should be treated with care to ensure that your dog will live a long and happy life.

Only in the recent decades did it become fashionable for dogs to live inside the house of its owners. Dog owners often look at their dog with such care and concern, similar to the way they look at the child. Similar to pampered kids, dogs that are well loved by their owners are provided with the best possible shelter, food, training, medical care, and special treats to ensure general health and well being.

There are some important points to consider regarding dog health. Affection refers to the strong bond between humans and dogs. Treatment and prevention of allergies among dogs is serious business for dog owners. It is important to note that human shampoos are not good for dogs. Natural and non-toxic flea repellants are available for your four-legged friend. Note also that all dogs need fun grooming. So go ahead and make it fun for you and your dog.

It is also important to pick a toy that is safe for your dog. Also, take note of the ingredients that can be poisonous to dogs such as grapes, raisins, and onions. You should also be able to distinguish the facts from the myths on spaying or neutering pros and cons. Know also the symptoms if your dog has worms.

The use of dog crates is also an important consideration. It is used for disciplining the dog and making him safe and trustworthy. Used inappropriately, it can cause your dog stress and will hamper his training progress. Used correctly, crates can be very good tools for disciplining and house training dogs. Improper use of crates will make your dog unhappy, instilling fear and torture in your canine friend.

Keep these tips in mind for you and your dogs peaceful coexistence.

Dog Health provides detailed information on Dog Health, Dog Health Problems, Dog Health Questions, Dog Health Care and more. Dog Health is affiliated with Small Dog Houses.

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